The curse of ASAP
When someone tells you a task needs to be done ASAP, how do you feel? Pressured right? This is a task of such priority it needs to be completed as soon as humanly possible. Which…
performance
If you can’t be great, be careful
‘The good is the enemy of the great.’ – unknown (Voltaire?) You don’t stay in a job unless you are good at it. Good is normal. Most people are good. They aren’t great. Most people…
What are your posteriorities?
We all know the advice to focus on our priorities. Get the hardest thing done first. But what about the opposite – posteriorities? These are the things you should de-prioritize, focus on the least. Recognizing…
How to have a great first week at your new job
Here are some tips for making a great impression in Week One at your new firm.
Beware the burnout cycle
If you work too hard, you will burn out. The signs of burn out include loss of motivation, inability to focus, lack of creativity, slow progress, a feeling of helplessness and general low energy. From…
You’re making me sad
"You're making me sad," my son said accusingly last night as I refused him a cookie before dinnertime. With a three-year-old, it's easy to see that I had no intent to upset him, nor could…
Five ways to fail a job interview
I’ve interviewed hundreds of job candidates. Going into an interview, I want the interviewee to get the job, to be ‘the one’. But the law of averages says that’s unlikely. Most candidates make the same…
The eight words managers should use most often
As a manager you’ll have to deal with a wide variety of situations. Here are the words you should find yourself using most often: Well done – give positive feedback often. Be generous with your…
Do the things you hate
We hear a lot about following your passion. Doing what you love. And why would you do anything else if you want a satisfying and successful life? At the career-level this is good advice. But…
Do the hardest thing first
What's the first thing you do when you sit down at your desk in the morning? If you are like most people, it's fire up your email and get to work on the priorities it…